OSB Congregation

OSB Congregation

VALLAMBROSIAN BENEDICTINE ORDER (O.S.B.)

Origin

Vallombrosan Benedictine Congregation was founded by St. John Gualbert in the year of 1036, in vallombrosa near Florence. When his brother was killed by another man, John was in search of the murderer to kill. On a Good Friday, John saw the murderer and about to kill him. But the murderer begged pardon in the name of the crucified Christ. John Gualbert forgave him and then he felt the inner love towards the crucified Christ: he went to the church of San Damiano in Florence, where the crucifix turned to embrace him. After a few years of prayer and reflection he founded the congregation of vallombrosans, giving importance to community life – in charity of love. At the time of his death there were nearly 12 monasteries around the Italy.

In the Archdiocese of Kottayam

In 1988 at the request of then Abbot general, Antonio Lorenzo Russo OSB, the priory of Our Lady of Montenero, Livorno, founded seminary in India, in the diocese of Kottayam, Kerala with the permission of Mar Kuriakose Kunnassery, the bishop of Kottayam. The Vallombrosan Community in India is founded in Oriental tradition in the Syro – Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, with due permission from the Congregation of Oriental Churches, Rome. The Vallombrosan Benedictine Congregation with due permission from the Congregation for the Oriental Churches (Prot. No. 136/88 dt. 25 Nov. 1988) has in this Archeparchy an oriental branch.

When the Vallombrosan community in India is celebrating its silver jubilee in India (2012 June 2013), consist 25 solemn professed priest monks, 8 simple professed monks, 3 novices, 7 postulants and 35 candidates. Mar Mathew Moolakkattu OSB, present Archbishop of Kottayam is a member of vallombrosan congregation. The new OSB monastery “Mariyamala Monastery” (St. Mary’s Mount Monastery) is at Pazhuthuruth, Kaduthuruthy. Minor seminary for the aspirants is at S H Mount, Kottayam and the theological and philosophical study house in Bangalore.